Home & Garden

Atlanta, GA-- (submitted by Fulton County Communications) Fulton County Housing and Community Development will host another Homestead Exemption workshop at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Center on March 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Darnell Multipurpose Center is located at 677 Fairburn Road NW in Atlanta.

A homestead exemption reduces a homeowner’s property taxes. To qualify, the homeowner must apply for the exemption on or before April 1, 2011. Once it is approved, the exemption is automatically renewed each year as long as the homeowner remains in the home.

The workshop covers the following topics:

Basic Homestead Exemption

Other exemptions available for seniors

Who qualifies for exemptions and how to apply for exemptions that help residents age 62 or older

Atlanta, GA-- (submitted by Fulton County Gov.) Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared “Fix a Leak Week”, March 14 through 20, 2011.

Sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense® program, Fix a Leak Week is an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

In collaboration Fulton County Public Works Department is offering a free workshop on March 16, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Center which is located at 677 Fairburn Rd, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. A Public Works expert will educate citizens on tips to fix leaks and water conservations techniques.

Fulton County, GA-- (submitted by Fulton County) The Fulton County Board of Assessors reminds property owners that April 1, 2011 is the deadline to file for homestead exemption. The basic homestead exemption amount increased from $25,000 to $30,000 for the 2011 tax year. If you are currently receiving the basic homestead exemption, you do not need to reapply unless there is a change of ownership on the property. The increased amount will automatically be granted to homeowners who are currently receiving this exemption and to first-time applicants who qualify.

To qualify for any exemptions, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1, 2011 and be a permanent legal resident of Fulton County. You also are required to present a valid Georgia photo identification and provide a current copy of your Fulton County vehicle registration.

Fulton County will host a workshop on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to inform seniors of the Homestead Exemptions that can lower their tax bills. The session is the second of four meetings to be held across Fulton County.

The workshop entitled “Home Sweet Home” Important Tax Exemption Information for Senior Citizens is sponsored by the Fulton County Department of Housing and Human Services Office of Housing and Community Development, Metro Fair Housing and the Atlanta/Fulton County Public Library’s College Park Branch.

A representative from the Fulton County Community Action Authority agency will also attend the College Park meeting to discuss available resources to help residents with energy bills.

The workshop will be held at the College Park Library located at 3647 Main Street in College Park.

Atlanta, GA-- Homeowners in need of a loan to fund repairs to "substandard residential properties", have until March 31st to submit their Pre-Application for assistance. Due to a federally funded program the Fulton County Department of Housing and Human Services can offer county residents assistance in the form of a grant or loan.

Homes are eligible for County assistance if they are located in the unincorporated areas of the County or in one of the nine (9) participating municipalities (College Park, Hapeville, Union City, Alpharetta, Roswell, Mountain Park, Fairburn, East Point and Palmetto).

Atlanta, GA-- Camp Creek Middle School has received a $2,200.00 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for Warrior’s Sprouts.

With these funds, the school’s Family and Consumer Sciences classes, taught by Ms. Gloria Rice, will create an herb and vegetable garden. The garden will be an edible school yard that will be used to prepare dishes in the Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum.